5 things to know for Sept. 24: Middle East, Hurricane season, Immigration, Boeing strike, School safety

By Alexandra Banner, CNN

(CNN) — Preparations are underway for the vice presidential debate on October 1, where candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance will face off for the first and potentially only time during the 2024 race. Vance’s prep sessions include reviewing footage of the governor’s previous speeches and studying binders of research regarding his policies, a person directly involved in the debate prep told CNN.

Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

1. Middle East

Israel launched an intense barrage of airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, killing nearly 500 people and wounding 1,600 others. The single-day death toll made it the deadliest 24 hours in Lebanon since 2006. Israel and Hezbollah have been mired in conflict for decades — but the two have ramped up their cross-border attacks on each other since the war in Gaza began. Over the past week, Israel’s escalated attacks on Hezbollah have again heightened fears of a wider war in the Middle East. Hezbollah warned it would continue striking Israeli targets as long as the war in Gaza goes on, and Israel has not ruled out the possibility of a ground invasion. Iran, too, has warned Israel of “dangerous consequences” following the latest wave of strikes.

2. Hurricane season

A significant storm threat is developing for the Gulf Coast with just days until life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds impact parts of the Southeast US. The system will pick up pace and is expected to rapidly intensify into Hurricane Helene before making an expected landfall in Florida by Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared an emergency for at least 41 of the state’s 67 counties. Helene would be the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the US this year and the fifth hurricane to slam Florida since 2022. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm John struck Mexico’s southern coast on Monday with “catastrophic rainfall.” Thousands of people have evacuated Oaxaca state and many businesses in tourist areas have paused their operations.

3. Immigration

Campaign officials for Kamala Harris are weighing a potential visit by the vice president to the US-Mexico border while in Arizona on Friday as the campaign tries to close the gap with former President Donald Trump on the issue of immigration, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. Friday’s visit to Arizona comes at a time when border crossings are the lowest they’ve been since 2020 — and follows new polling that shows Trump leading in the battleground state. US officials have touted back-to-back months of low border crossings, citing recent executive action curbing asylum access at the US southern border, even as Trump levels campaign attacks over the Biden administration’s handling of border security.

4. Boeing strike

Boeing said Monday it has raised its offer to the International Association of Machinists union in an effort to end the strike by 33,000 union members that has now entered its second week. The new offer would give members a 30% raise over the four-year life of the contract, including an immediate 12% raise, up from the 25% in overall pay increases and an immediate 11% raise that membership voted almost unanimously against on September 12, just before walking off the job at Boeing plants on the West Coast. The union issued a statement saying it was reviewing the new offer, though some striking employees say they will vote against it until their demands are met.

5. School safety

A gradual reopening of Apalachee High School, the scene of this year’s deadliest school shooting, is scheduled to begin today. Areas of the campus in Winder, Georgia, will remain closed for the rest of the school year after two students and two teachers were killed in the September 4 attack. Authorities have added new layers of security but concerned parents, students and community members have launched a petition saying students and teachers deserve additional safety measures before they return — like clear bag policies and metal detectors. In a few other states, lawmakers have approved legislation requiring or encouraging silent panic alarm systems in schools that allow staff to report an emergency with a few clicks on their phones.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Buildings that could have transformed skylines, but they were never built
A book titled “The Atlas of Never Built Architecture” explores some of the most spectacular building designs that were stalled or forgotten.

Winning images from Bird Photographer of the Year 2024
With their im-peck-able camera skills, these photographers were awarded top prizes for their rare and comical images of bird behaviors.

A ‘Friends’-themed game show is coming soon
A new game show looking for the Ultimate “Friends” Fan is coming to Max in honor of the 30th anniversary of the beloved NBC sitcom. (Max, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.)

Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton are apparently distant relatives
Dolly Parton has learned her special connection with goddaughter Miley Cyrus is even deeper than she originally thought.

US to return antiquities to India
The US is returning 297 relics stolen or smuggled from India, many dating back centuries.

TODAY’S NUMBER

$238,000
That’s nearly how much Melania Trump was paid for an appearance at a political event in April — but it’s unclear who cut the six-figure check. The payment is a highly unusual move for the spouse of a presidential candidate and comes as the former first lady has barely been seen on the campaign trail this year.

TODAY’S QUOTE

“Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly for their contributions.”

— An attorney for Reggie Bush, announcing Monday that the former University of Southern California star running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner is suing the school, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA over using his name, image and likeness without compensation.

TODAY’S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY …

NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts return safely to Earth
A Soyuz capsule carrying a NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth on Monday after undocking from the International Space Station. See a video of the landing here.

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